Keeping your pets comfy, safe, entertained, and fed during a road trip or travel can be tough. Prep is everything and makes a huge difference to dog comfort. Whether you’re travelling for a few hours to a neighbouring city or taking an airplane to another country, your dog’s behaviour will heavily influence your enjoyment of your travel.
Before heading out, here are some travel tips for dog owners to remember to ensure your furry friends have fun in unfamiliar territory.
Check Pet Policies
Confirm what their pet policies are, such as on the plan, at the hotel or where you’ll be sleeping. Also, confirm where you want to go with your dog when you arrive there. This way, you won’t be caught off-guard if permission is declined to bring your dog.
Train Your Dog for Travel
If your pup isn’t used to travelling, try to acclimate it to movement by taking it on short trips. Go for a drive for an hour or two. Work to have your dog feel comfortable and associate positive feelings with travelling. On the day of the event, this will relax them.
Make Sure Your Pet Is Comfortable
You don’t want your dog cramped or uncomfortable. Please provide them with enough space to lie down comfortably. Even in a confined space, ensure your dog has enough room to move around.
Access to Water to Keep Them Hydrated
Your dog must have easy access to water throughout your travels. Be sure to take breaks, lay out their dog’s bowl with some water, and ensure they drink from it before continuing your trip. Remember to do this at least every few hours.
Have Your Dog’s Identification With You
Leave home with your dog’s ID, vaccination records, and health status. Ensure your dog has its current identification on its collar or microchip in case it gets lost.
Provide Your Dog with Gear to Enhance Comfort
Brands like Canada Pooch offer premium travel gear for dogs that are worth checking out. For cooling vests and gear in the summer to warm dog clothing and accessories for winter, Canada Pooch has you covered year-round.
Up-To-Date Vaccinations Are Required
Your dog should be current on heartworm pills, flea and tick control, and other required vaccinations before travelling outside for extended periods or staying at a pet-friendly hotel.
If Anxious, Discuss Medications With Your Vet
Some dog owners know their pups will be anxious during travel. There is no easy way to combat this. In some cases, the stress can be so bad that you may want to discuss with your vet the possibility of medication to calm your anxiety.
Pack Easy Food To Travel With You
Pack high-quality dog food for travel breaks. If there are delays, you want this with you to keep your dog fed and happy no matter what comes. Feeding them will also help your dog maintain their schedule, reduce anxiety, and prevent upset stomachs by keeping their food consistent.
Create a Dog Essentials Travel Kit
An easy way to pack dog food and other accessories is to buy a backpack and create a travel kit for your pup. This kit includes food, water, collapsible bowls, a leash, poop bags, and a few of their favourite toys. Be ready for anything.
The Value of a Familiar Toy
Dogs get bored. A familiar toy that they can play with for even a few minutes will ease their anxiety, keep them calm and comfortable. It will also provide them with something to do. Always pack at least one or two of their best toys for your travels.
Always Keep Their Collar On and Leashed
Keep your dog leashed at all times. If your dog gets scared and runs, you want your pet on a leash and with its collar on.
Schedule The Day Like Any Other Day
Set alerts on your smartphone to feed your dog at the right time, make sure they get their walks, and keep the general routine going. This should include time to stretch, hydrate, and use the bathroom no matter where you are.
What Your Dog Travels In Should Be Secured
If your dog is with you in the car, a crash-tested pet carrier firmly strapped to the back seat is recommended. For proper handling, make sure the carrier is labeled ‘Live Animal’ if the animal is in an airplane or commercial transportation. Ensure your dog is safe in its carrier before travelling.
Don’t Leave Them in a Parked Car
During summer, even for a short time, leaving your dog in a parked car can be deadly. The temperature rises rapidly in a car, even with windows cracked open. Dogs aren’t built to release heat through sweating, so their internal body temperature rises quickly, leading to heatstroke.
